Tag: Bay Harbor Brokers

Cold Feet

When I last updated, everything was going swimmingly. But when has boat life ever been uncomplicated? Our contract fell through, and SV Story Time is back on the market.

After an awesome sea trial, survey, and haul out, the potential buyers got cold feet and backed out. In hindsight, there were some red flags about them that we chose to overlook. They were also very nervous first-time buyers and didn’t seem to be able to fully commit.

It just sucks. The boat was off the market for 6 weeks while we waited for the surveyor that they insisted upon (who found no major issues with the boat, btw), we lost out on the five other calls that came in about her, we had to pay slip fees and insurance for all these extra months, and now we are solidly into hurricane season. On the bright side, the survey report found no surprises and we KNOW Story Time is in good shape. I just hope we find a new family for her soon!

A general family update: I have spent the last three weeks holed up at my desk finishing my next novel. It is DONE! I’ve also had some outpatient leg surgeries done to repair my veins that blew out due to pregnancies (thanks, kids!) so I am trying to make the most of this waiting time. We are just stuck in limbo right now with things that are out of our control, but it feels good to make progress in other areas.

Love,

Taylor, Conor, W, and R

The Two Happiest Days

They say that the two happiest days of a sailors life are the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it. We will find out if that’s true this week! SV Story Time is ours for only a few more days as we head into the sea trial and survey on Thursday.

I do remember being happy when we bought the boat, but it was just one emotion buried underneath the rest. When I look back on that day, I remember a lot of other things. Mostly I was overwhelmed. Nervous. Excited. Naïve. Nauseous (9 weeks pregnant). Terrified. Oddly content. Yeah, that last one surprised me, too. I was content because it felt right. Right place, right time, right boat. We were on the right path and finally DOING IT.

I’ll probably cry when it comes time to sign the papers, no matter what the adage says. I am thankful how quickly the boat sold and not having to worry about it during another hurricane season. No more time troubleshooting issues and the never-ending maintenance that boat ownership entails. Relief to be done. Sadness at saying goodbye. Gratitude toward the boat for housing my family and our memories. Excitement at the next adventure to come. And yes, contentment, because I know that this is the right choice.

The next owners are lovely people. This boat likes to pick her family and seems to attract first-time boat owners just like us. They plan to teach their twin grandsons how to sail and while I don’t think they will be liveaboards, the boat will be utilized and cared for. They have a lot of sailing and racing experience and belong to a yacht club up north. They have been waiting to finally buy their dream boat, and this week it will become a reality! I am so happy for them.

So maybe I will be happy the day we sell the boat.

Love,

Taylor, Conor, W, and R

Story Time is Under Contract!

This might be the fastest sale on record. S/V Story Time went on the market on Monday, 8/2 and we accepted an offer on 8/5. Of course, the title transfer is dependent on adequate sea trial and survey, but holy moly.

Before COVID, the average time for a boat to be on the market was 365 days. Ours was less than a week. Our lifestyle change had good timing, because there are very few used boats for sale right now. Inventory is so low that boats get snapped up fast. People are looking for a socially distanced hobby that also allows for travel—SAILING!

On July 4th, we decided to put plans into motion to transition off the boat. July 24th, we moved into an apartment. August 2nd, boat went on market. August 5th, boat was under contract. The timing was definitely in our favor.

In a way, I am grateful that everything had to happen so fast. It was like ripping off a band aid. It was hard, busy, and messy, but it would have been worse to languish in limbo. Movement happens fast in our family. Decisions are made and we throw ourselves full-force into the effort. More about the new owners to come and why we picked them.

Meanwhile, we are adjusting to life on land. After living on a 38ft boat, a 1,000 sq ft apartment feels GIGANTIC. We are still keeping the spirit of Story Time alive in our home by living simply with minimal furniture and clutter. The kids love the space to play but W talks about the boat every day. I hope that she will have memories of her life aboard this boat when she is older.

Love,

Taylor, Conor, W, and R

Looking for the World’s Best Catalina?

Then look no further than our 2002 Catalina 380 SV STORY TIME!

Our listing is live on Bay Harbor Brokers! Please check it out and spread the word! She has been loved and lived in for the past four years. She has been an integral part of our family, housed my babies, and kept us safe on so many adventures.

A quick peek at some of the details:

Sails and Rigging

  • Z-Spars deck stepped double spreader mast
  • In Mast mainsail furling
  • Garhauer mainsheet traveler system
  • Schaefer marine roller furler for genoa
  • Adjustable Garhauer genoa cars
  • Secondary movable Garhauer genoa cars
  • Secondary genoa halyard
  • All control lines run into cockpit
  • Lewmar Ocean Series 54st 2 speed winches for genoa
  • Lewmar Ocean Series 40st 2 speed winches for main/halyards

Electronics

  • Raymarine ST-60 Speed
  • Raymarine ST-60 Depth
  • Raymarine ST-60 Wind
  • Raymarine ST-5000 Autopilot Controller
  • Raymarine RL-70C Chartplotter/Radar
  • Raymarine Radar mounted on mast
  • Standard Horizon Intrepid VHF t Nav Station
  • Standard Horizon remote ram mic at helm
  • Raymarine ST-60 Multi at Nav station
  • Blue Seas Tank monitor system
  • West Marine FM/AM/CD player

Galley

  • Princess 3 burner oven
  • West Bend built in microwave
  • Large double Stainless Steel sink
  • Built in garbage can w/ access in counter top
  • Large ice box w/ drain
  • Large front load/top load refrigerator/freezer
  • New Dometic refrigeration system (2020)

Electrical

  • 2 X 30 amp shore power inlets on transom
  • 2 X 30 amp power cables
  • Separate 120v breaker panel in cockpit locker
  • 2 X Solar panels
  • Solar controller
  • Wind generator
  • Xantrex 2000 inverter/charger
  • 3 AGM house batteries (2018)
  • 16500 BTU Mermaid AC/Heat (2019)
  • Koolair raw water AC pump (2020)
  • West Marine 60psi fresh water system pump (2021)

Additional Information

  • Stainless steel transom mounted dinghy davits
  • Solar panels mounted above dinghy davits
  • Large sugar scoop transom w/ hot/cold shower
  • Large fold up swim ladder on transom
  • Dodger/Bimini/Connector w/ full zip on screen enclosure
  • Full lifeline netting
  • Mercury 4hp Dinghy motor (2011)
  • Lifesling
  • Wind Generator
  • Zarcor companion way doors (2017)
  • Ditch kit (2020)

Anchoring & Mooring

  • Maxwell windless
  • Bruce 66lbs anchor
  • Delta Fast-Set Anchor
  • 150ft 5/16 anchor chain
  • Assorted dock lines & fenders

Engine

  • Yanmar model 3JH3E 39hp
  • Engine exhaust mainfold replaced (2017)
  • Stuffing Box replaced (2021)
  • Approx 1500hrs

Please feel free to contact us with any questions! I know that emailing a broker can be a bit intimidating. We are happy to chat with anyone who is interested in the boat or “knows somebody who knows somebody” who is looking for a boat like ours 🙂

Love,

Taylor, Conor, W, and R